21st century toy

saw some children today
So exited to play
All the games I had loved as a lad
As the football began
They all tackled and ran
My heart sank as they all looked so glad
Now a war at it's hieght
As they started to fight
Every face had a look of sheer bliss
As the load up each gun
Battles lost others won
This is far from the childhood i miss
There was no dirt to see
No skinned elbow or knee
And not one had a trickle of sweat
Never leaving the room
All that "goal" and " boom boom"
Was played out on an old TV set
I guess that's just the way
That the world turns today
Let's me know I'm no longer that boy
Who would do it for real
Long before the reveal
Of this 21st century toy

Reviews

[Lawryie Mh-Lk]

Things has changed indeed and feels less free than before, sadly...
Very well expressed!

[Chris Shaw]

Tings ain't wot they used to be. I was out playing either on the pavement, the park or when a bit older in the countryside. I was never indoors though. All change now. As your poem says, all the action is on a computer screen. Kids today have missed out something chronic I reckon. We had freedom back then. How awful being imprisoned in the bedroom with a bit of tech for company. Topical write and delightful with it, albeit a bit sad. That old saying, you don't miss what you never had springs to mind. I am liking your poetry very much.

Chris

[Tepo]

Thank you very much Chris
I was brought up in the city
The girls played with ropes, elastics, and balls they bounced against a wall and caught again.
We had fitba and 5 stones , peever etc
Those days seem so distant now.
Truly appreciate your encouragement
Ta

[Chris Shaw]

Hopscotch. skipping ropes and balls against the wall I remember well. Don't know fitba and peever though:)

[Tepo]

peever is hopscotch,
Fitba Football
Apologies
I slung my accent into that reply

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha. No wonder I didna understand :)

[barleygirl]

Since this has been in my reading library for a few months (I've been writing a book & not reviewing much), your message couldn't apply to our current rash of gun violence in the USA! Your poem makes it feel like there's a fuzzy line between doing aggressive competitive sports & doing war. There's a definite connection in the way sports & war are conducted. But nowadays, wars aren't just for the battlefield -- we have daily skirmishes within our "civilized" midst that include death. I guess guns are inescapable toys (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Tepo]

thank you Margie
Truly appreciate your continued support
Ta much

[DIVYA]

Everything is virtual now. Everything plays out on that shimmering screen. Football, cricket, war games all feel so unreal and yet inciting every human emotion without a trickle of sweat or bruised knee. Is it healthy? I think not. I related a lot to this poem!

[Tepo]

Thank you very much Divya
Truly appreciate you taking the time for this
Ta